What is syphilis and why is it spreading in Japan?

10,000 cases reported in 1st nine months of 2024, versus 1,000 in all of 2013

20240927N Japan

Men accounted for 65% of new syphilis cases from January to June this year. (Photo by Kosuke Imamura)

KIMIHIKO KOHATA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Local governments in Japan are urging caution and calling for early testing due to a rapid rise in syphilis, with new infections on pace with last year's record number of cases.

As of mid-September, 10,162 new cases of syphilis had been reported this year, according to preliminary data. 

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